Connector for electric conductors.



No. 849,028. PATENTED APR. 2, 1907.

G. E. STEVENS. CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRIC GONDUCTORS.

APPLIOATION FILED PEBJI, 1904.

witnesses Irwoerw'cor- George ElSteOens MW @y M M UNITED sTAT s PATENTOEEI E.

GEORGE E. STEVENS, OF LYNN, MASSAOTIUSTETTS, ASSIGNOR To GENERALELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 2, 1.907.

Application filed February 11, i904- Serial No. 193,031.

To (1, whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. STEVENS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new.

tion, which may be quickly and readily applied to the conductor, whichshall not require the use of solder, and which can be manufacturedrapidly at a small cost.

To accomplish these ends, I provide a clip' or connector for theconductor consisting, preferably, of two metallic pieces adapted to gripthe end of the conductor and hold it firmly between them and shaped tofacilitate connection to a fixed stud or other device. One of theseparts is a short tubular piece of metal of good conductivity having acurled flange at one end integral therewith, and the end of theconductor, stripped of its insulation, is curled around, this tubularstem and pressed againstthe flange. The other part of the connector is acircular punching of sheet metal of good conductivity having aconcentric opening therein and is adapted to fit over the tubular stemof the other part and slip down u on the conductor. With the two parts 0the connector assembled thus with the conductor between them the end ofthe stem extending through the opening in the sheet-metal piece isturned over and pressed down on that piece until the latter is forcedinto firm engagement with the conductor, which is thus tightly inclosedby the sheet-metal piece'on one side and the curled flange on the end ofthe stem on the other. The sheet-metal blank which forms one part of theconnector is preferably punc ed out with an integral extension form ingwings which are-adapted to be curled around the conductor to givegreater strength to the joint between it and the connector. Both of the.operations above described-that of turning the end of the stem over anddown upon the sheet-metal-piece and that of curl-.

ing the wings around the conductor-wan be of the connector.

quickly and readily performed at the same time in a suitable press; butother methods of accomplishing the same results may be pursued and willsuggest themselves to skilled mechanics. The opening through the stem isleft clearand unobstructed, so that the connector can be readily slippedover a stud or contact and secured thereto. I have thus succeeded inmaking a strong neat connecting device at a small cost adapted for readyconnection to a stationary contact, another conductor, or any otherdevice, and, further, the parts of the connector grip the conductor sotightly and the area of contact therewith is so large that the use ofsolder between the connector and conductor, which stiffens the latterand renders it liable to breakage, is entirely unnecessary.

The novel features of my invention will be definitely indicated in theclaims appended hereto. The details of construction of my improvedconnector will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a side and Fig. 2 a front View Fig. 3 is a centralsection thereof, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the parts beforebeing united.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of myinvention, 1 represen'is a circular punching of sheet metal of goodconductivity having a concentric opening [herein and an integralextension on one side, forming the wings 2 2, which are adapted to hecurled around the conductor 3. This punched plate forms one part of theconnector. .The other part 4 is also of metal of good conductivity andconsists of a short tubular stem 5, having a curled flange 6 at one 'endintegral therewith. The conductor 3 is bared of insulation for a shortdistance back from its-end and is curled around the stem 5 close upagainst the flange 6', as shown in Fig. 4. The perforated plate 1 isthen slipped over the stem 5 and down against the conductor 3. As thusassembled the parts are put in a suitable press, and that portion of thestem 5 which protrudes through the opening in the plate 1 is turned overon the plate 1,

' pressing the same into such firm contact with the conductor 3 that thelatter is somewhat flattened between the flange 6 and the plate 1 and iscompletely inclosed therein, as shown conditions.

in Fig. '3. At the same time or in a subsequent operation, if preferred,the wings 2 2 are curled around the conductor, as shown in the drawings,to g1ve greater strength to the joint. The finished connector is shownin Figs. 1 and 2. It presents a neat appearance, the joint with theconductor is a strong one, and good contact is made therewith. Moreover,no solder or other material detrimental to the conductor need be used.

It is obvious that if two conductors are to be brought to the samecontact the plate 1 may be formed With two extensions having wings 2 2,and. the ends of the two COIldLlCr'OIS may be culled around the stem 5and clasped between the parts of the connector.

I do not wish to be understood as limited to the exact form of connectorshown, as the construct ion is capable of variation to suit Theconstruction shown and described, however, is that which I prefer touse.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is I 1. A GOIIDQCLOI for an electric conductor,comprising a stem around which the conductor extends, a flange on thestem integral therewith, and a perforated plate fitting on the stem andheld in place between the flange and the conductor.

2. A connector for an electric conductor, comprising a stem having aflange thereon, a

perforated plate fitting on said stem and held in place between theflange and the conductor, and an extension on said plate adapted to gripthe conductor.

3. A connector for an electric conductor, comprising a stem having aflange thereon, a perforated plate fitting on said stem and held inplace between the flange and the conductor, and a second flange on thestem holding the conductor in firm engagement between it and said plate.

4. A connector for an electric conductor comprising a stem having aflange thereon, a perforated plate fitting on the stem and provided withan extension adapted to grip the CODdUCtOI, and a second flange on thestem holding the conductor firmly between it and said perforated plate.

5. A connector for an electric conductor comprisinga stem havin a flangeat one end thereof, a perforated p late fitting on the stem and providedwith an extension having wings which hold the conductor between them,and a flange on the other end of said stem between which and saidperforated plate the end of the conductor is held.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of February,1904.

' GEORGE E. STEVENS.

Vitnesses:

DUGALD MoK. MoKILLoP, JOHN J. WALKER.

